Method and apparatus for handling oil and gas well drilling fluids

ABSTRACT

A fluids management apparatus is disclosed herein that enables management of multiple volumes of different fluids when drilling and/or producing oil and/or gas with an oil and gas well drilling platform. The apparatus includes a structural, transportable frame that has upper and lower reservoir sections, each with a plurality of tanks for holding fluid. The upper reservoir section is easily lifted and transported, such as by crane. A docking station on the lower reservoir section is receptive of the upper reservoir section. A piping system enables a selected fluid volume contained in a tank of the upper reservoir section to be selectively transmitted to a selected tank of the lower reservoir section. The lower reservoir section has its own piping system that enables a user to withdraw fluid from any selected one of its tanks.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

In the US, this is a non provisional patent application of U.S.Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/494,211, filed 7 Jun. 2011.

Priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/494,211,filed 7 Jun. 2011, incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed.

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX”

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the handling of oil and gas welldrilling fluids, especially in an offshore or marine environment. Moreparticularly, the present invention relates to an improved oil and gaswell fluids transfer apparatus that features a first module carryingmultiple supply reservoirs for holding different drilling or productionfluids and a second, typically smaller supply module for holding one ormore resupply modules.

2. General Background of the Invention

In the drilling of oil and gas wells, a large number of different fluidsare typically employed. These fluids can include various chemicals orchemical formulas that assist in the drilling process. These fluids caninclude, for example, drilling mud, surfactants, brine solutions,thickening solutions, other oil well drilling or completions fluids andthe like.

In a coastal or offshore marine environment, the drilling of oil and gaswells employs a platform that can be floating, semi-submersible, fixed,tension leg, spar or the like. Such coastal, offshore or marine oilplatforms are well known in the art.

An offshore marine platform typically suffers from lack of space. Thesespacial constraints are due to the enormous expense of constructingoffshore drilling platforms. A huge array of equipment is needed for thedrilling and completion of oil and gas wells. Constant supply andresupply is an ongoing procedure. Huge work boats carry drill pipe,equipment, personnel, food, drilling fluids, completion fluids, andother material to the offshore platform. Unloading and placement ofthese supplies is an enormous problem.

In the handling of fluids, huge volumes can be required. After thefluids are expended, the tank or other vessel that carried the fluidmust quickly be moved from the rig floor to make room for the others.

Over the years, 55 gallon drums and other like disposable containershave been used to transfer drilling and other fluids to and from an oiland gas well drilling rig. These drums and like containers create a hugestorage problem for the drilling rig operators.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides an improved fluids transfer system thatenables a rig operator to efficiently and quickly transfer fluids duringnormal course of operation of the offshore platform.

The present invention provides an efficient and novel and improvedsystem, including a method and apparatus for transferring drillingfluids to an offshore oil and gas well drilling platform and for fluidtransfer once on the platform.

The present invention provides an improved fluids transfer system havingimproved structural integrity that enables transport on marine vesselsand lifting with cranes and the like while maintaining fluid holdingtanks so that leakage is not a problem.

The present invention includes a fluids management apparatus formanaging multiple, different fluids on an oil and gas well drillingplatform, comprising a structural, transportable frame that has upperand lower end portions, a plurality of side walls, a plurality ofcorners, a base, and an upper panel; a reservoir section on the framehaving a plurality of storage reservoirs for holding multiple, separatefluids, one separate fluid in each reservoir; a plurality of flowoutlets for discharging a selected fluid from a selected reservoir; adocking station on the frame above the reservoir section, each stationconfigured to receive a tank having a fluid holding interior thatconnects to a reservoir; piping that enables a selected of the storagereservoirs to transfer its contents to a selected of the storagereservoirs; each wall having vertical and horizontal stiffeners, eachvertical stiffener having a web, each horizontal stiffener connecting toa said vertical stiffener web; each storage reservoir having a side thatis a part of a said side wall, a plurality of transverse sides, and aninternal longitudinal wall; a reservoir stiffener panel that extends apartial distance across a said storage reservoir; and a plurality oflifting eyes attached to the frame, at least a pair of said horizontalstiffeners attaching to each said lifting eye.

Preferably, each reservoir stiffener attaches to a transverse wall.

Preferably, there are between 4 and 6 storage reservoirs.

Preferably, at least one of the storage reservoirs is smaller thananother of the storage reservoirs.

Preferably, one of the storage reservoirs extends from one side wall toanother side wall.

Preferably, the frame has multiple lifting eyes that attach to a sidewall and said upper panel.

Preferably, each lifting eye is connected to a horizontal stiffener.

Preferably, each lifting eye is in the form of a plate that forms anacute angle with a side wall.

Preferably, each lifting eye is spaced in between a corner and anotherlifting eye.

Preferably, each tank support is mounted upon a said vertical stiffener.

Preferably, the present invention further comprises a plate on the upperend portion of each vertical stiffener, said plate forming a loadtransfer location for a said tank.

The present invention includes a fluids management apparatus formanaging multiple, different fluids in an oil and gas well drillingplatform, comprising a structural, transportable frame; a lower tanksection on the frame having a plurality of interval storage tanks forholding multiple, separate fluids, said interval storage tankssurrounded by external side walls and end walls; a plurality of flowoutlets for discharging a selected fluid from a selected intervalstorage tank; an upper tank section that comprises one or moretransportable, crane liftable tanks; a docking station on the frameabove the lower tank section that is configured to receive the uppertank section, the upper tank section having a plurality of supply tanks;piping that enables a selected of the supply tanks to transfer itscontents to a selected of the interval storage tanks; a plurality ofhorizontal and a plurality of vertical stiffeners on said lower tanksection, the horizontal and vertical stiffeners intersecting; thedocking station including load transfer plates on said verticalstiffeners that define supports for receipt of the docking station; eachvertical stiffener having a web attached to a wall and a flange attachedto a said web; and each load transfer plate at the top of each verticalstiffener, said load transfer plate attached to both said web and saidflange.

Preferably, there are at least three interval storage tanks.

Preferably, there are between 4 and 6 interval storage tanks.

Preferably, at least one of the supply tanks is smaller than one of theinterval storage tanks.

Preferably, all of the supply tanks are smaller than each intervalstorage tank.

Preferably, all of the flow outlets are positioned on the same side ofthe frame.

Preferably, all of the flow outlets are positioned side-by-side and nextto each other.

Preferably, each supply tank has a supply tank outlet and the pipingincludes a plurality of flow lines, each connectable to a supply tankoutlet.

Preferably, each interval storage tank has a flow inlet and the pipingincludes multiple flow lines that enable flow to be directed to aselected interval storage tank from a selected supply tank.

The present invention includes a fluids management apparatus formanaging multiple, different fluids in an oil and gas well drillingplatform, comprising: a structural, transportable frame having sidewalls, end walls, a bottom wall and an upper panel; a lower reservoirsection on the frame having a plurality of interval storage reservoirsfor holding multiple, separate fluids; a plurality of flow outlets fordischarging a selected fluid from a selected interval storage reservoir;a docking station on the frame above the lower reservoir section, saiddocking station configured to receive one or more fluid holding vessels;and a reinforcement system for multiple of said walls that includesintersecting pluralities of horizontal and vertical stiffeners, eachsaid vertical stiffener having an upper fitting that provides anattachment for and load transfer from a said fluid holding vessel.

Preferably, each vertical stiffener has a web and a flange that isconnected to the web and wherein each fitting is attached to both a weband a flange.

Preferably, the present invention further comprises an upper frame thatholds multiple of said fluid holding vessels.

Preferably, said upper frame has legs, each leg resting upon a saidfitting.

Preferably, the upper frame has one or more doors that can be opened andclosed.

Preferably, one of the storage reservoirs is a larger reservoir thatextends to opposing sides of the interval longitudinal wall and furthercomprising an opening in the interval longitudinal wall that is incommunication with the larger reservoir.

Preferably, the upper frame has multiple upper angled plates that eachform an obtuse angle with the bottom of a fluid holding vessel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages ofthe present invention, reference should be had to the following detaileddescription, read in conjunction with the following drawings, whereinlike reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a partial elevation view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial plan view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatusof the present invention, taken along lines 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is sectional view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatus ofthe present invention, taken along lines 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5-5 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6-6 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is an end view taken along lines 7-7 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along lines 8-8 of FIG. 6;

FIG. 9 is a schematic partial perspective view of a preferred embodimentof the apparatus of the present invention illustrating the piping;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of a preferred embodiment ofthe apparatus of the present invention illustrating the docking station;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary elevation view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention taken along lines 11-11 of FIG. 10,illustrating the docking station;

FIG. 12 is fragmentary elevation view of a preferred embodiment of theapparatus of the present invention taken along lines 12-12 of FIG. 10,illustrating the docking station; and

FIG. 13 is an elevation view of a preferred embodiment of the apparatusof the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

FIGS. 1-13 show generally a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of thepresent invention, designated generally by the numeral 10 in FIGS. 1-10.The apparatus of the present invention can be made of welded metal.Fluids management apparatus 10 provides a storage reservoir 11 having abase 12. The storage reservoir 11 has an upper end portion 14 and alower end portion 13. The upper end portion 14 provides an upper panel15. The upper panel 15 has a plurality of openings 18, each beingcloseable using a manway cover 16.

A plurality of tank support plates 17 are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Theplurality of support plates 17 connect to and transfer load from adocking station or platform 42 which is shown in more detail in FIGS.10-13. Storage reservoir 11 has a number of internal tanks, such as thesix internal tanks that are designated by the numerals 26, 27, 28, 29,30, 31 in FIG. 3. These internal tanks or internal reservoirs 26-31 aresurrounded by outer side walls 19, end walls 20 and internal walls 34-40as seen in FIG. 3. Each internal tank/reservoir can be provided with aladder 33. Each of the side walls 19 is reinforced with verticalsupports 21 and horizontal supports 24. The upper most flange ofhorizontal supports 24 is a rim flange 43. Each vertical support 21includes a flange 22 that is connected to a web 23. Each of the supportplates 17 is attached to the upper end portion or top of a verticalsupport 21 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7. The web of each vertical support21 can be connected (for example welded) to a side wall 19. In FIG. 3,there are three vertical supports 21 attached to one side wall 19 andthree additional vertical supports 21 attached to the opposing or otherside wall 19 as shown.

A plurality of horizontal stiffeners 24 can be seen in FIG. 1, connectedto each side wall 19 and end wall 20 (e.g. welded connection). Eachhorizontal stiffener 24 extends to a corner 45 of storage reservoir 11as shown in FIGS. 2, 3, 6. Each horizontal stiffener connects to bothflange 22 and web 23 of a vertical support 21 (e.g. a weldedconnection).

A plurality of lifting eyes 25 are provided, one lifting eye position atupper end portion 14 of storage reservoir 11 and next to a corner 45 asshown in FIGS. 1-2 and 4-5. Each lifting eye 25 provides an opening 46for attaching rigging such as a sling, shackle, hook or the like to thelifting eye 25 so that the entire apparatus 10 can be lifted with acrane or other lifting device.

FIG. 3 shows the individual internal tanks or reservoirs 26-31 which areseparated with internal walls including a longitudinal wall (or walls)34 and a plurality of transverse walls 35-40. Wall 34 (or a wall 34) isstructurally connected (e.g. welded) to end wall 20 (see FIG. 3). Thetransverse walls 36, 39 and 37, 40 surround a single tank 26 whichextends completely across the storage reservoir 11 from one side wall 19to the other side wall 19 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Opening 41 (seeFIG. 4) and longitudinal wall 34 enables fluid to flow freely in tank 26from one side of longitudinal wall 34 to the other side of wall 34.

A plurality of internal support plates 32 are shown, at least one foreach internal tank or reservoir 26-30. The internal tank 26 has two ofthese vertical plates or support plates 32. Each support plate 32extends a partial distance across an internal tank 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,beginning at a transverse wall 35-40 as shown in FIG. 3 and terminatingat a free edge or end 47 before reaching another transverse wall.

In connection with the piping system 75 of FIG. 9, each reservoir ortank 26-31 is able to receive fluid from any selected tank 67, 68 ofrack 65 that can be placed above storage reservoir 11 by using dockingstation 42 (see FIGS. 10, 13). In FIG. 9, letters A, B, C, D, E, F areused to designate fittings that transfer fluid from a particular tank 67or 68 to a selected reservoir 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31. The letter A inFIG. 9 is associated with reservoir 26. The letter B in FIG. 9 isassociated with the reservoir 27. The letter C in FIG. 9 is associatedwith the reservoir 28. In FIG. 9, the letters D, E, F are associatedwith reservoirs 29, 30, 31 respectively. Thus, a coupling 72 and hose 71for tank 67 is shown attaching to a pipe inlet fitting 76 in FIG. 9having letter designation “E” meaning that flow from tank 67 is beingrouted to reservoir 30.

Docking station or platform 42 can been seen in FIGS. 10-13. The dockingstation 42 provides a plurality of a feet 48, each connected to thelower end portion of a leg 49. Each of the legs 49 extends upwardly andforms a structural connection to both a perimeter member or beam 50(which is generally horizontally extending) and a transverse beam ormember 58 as shown in FIGS. 10-12. A plurality of fittings 51, 55 areattached to the beams 50 or 50, 58 as shown in FIGS. 10-12. Thesefittings include corner fitting 51 and intermediate fitting 55. Eachcorner fitting 51 includes an inclined plate or ramp 52, anotherinclined plate or ramp 53, and a horizontal plate or pad 54. These threeplates or pads 52, 53, 54 can be structurally connected together (e.g.welding). Each corner fitting 51 is attached (e.g. welded) to thecombination of two beams 50 at a corner 74 of docking station 42 asshown in FIGS. 10-12.

Intermediate fitting 55 includes two plates or pads including aninclined plate or pad or ramp 56 and a horizontal plate or pad 57. Eachintermediate fitting 55 attaches (e.g. welding) to a horizontal memberor beam 50 at its intersection with a transverse beam 58 as shown.

Multiple catch basins 59 are provided which can be welded to a perimeterhorizontal member or beam 50 and a basin support beam 60. Each catchbasin 59 includes side walls 63, bottom wall 64, and an end wall orclosed end member 62. Each catch basin 59 has an open end 61 as shown. Abottom wall 64 is inclined toward closed end or end wall 62 as seen inFIGS. 10-12. A plurality of catch basins 59 are provided, one for eachtank or vessel 67 or 68 that is contained in a transportable rack 65.The rack 65 can be seen in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No.13/312,547, filed 6 Dec. 2011, which is incorporated herein byreference. Another example of a rack that contains or can containmultiple tanks or vessels can be seen in prior U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,983,704and 7,552,687, each of which is incorporated herein by reference. Rack65 provides a base 66 and side walls 73. Some of the side walls 73 canbe in the form of gates that can be opened or closed for adding orremoving a selected tank or vessel 67, 68 from the rack 65.

Each tank or vessel 67, 68 has an upper closure panel or plate 69 and avalved outlet 70 that can have a quick connect coupling 72 forattachment to a hose 71 or other conduit. A piping system 75 is providedwhich has quick connect couplings 72 for connecting to hose 71. Hose 71can connect to a selected pipe inlet fitting 76, 77, 78, 79.

The apparatus 10 of the present invention thus enables the liquidcontained in any selected tank 67 or 68 on rack 65 to be transmitted viathe piping system 75 to any selected one of the internal tanks orreservoirs 26-31.

FIGS. 6-9 show the piping system 75 in more detail, further illustratingthe ability to transfer fluid from a selected tank 67 or 68 containedwithin rack 65 to a selected internal tank or reservoir 26-31. In FIG.9, there are four (4) pluralities of pipe inlet fittings 76, 77, 78, 79which are provided for transferring fluid from any tank via a pipe inletfitting. In FIG. 9 there are four sets of pipe inlet fittings 76, 77,78, 79 because each set is with each tank 67, 68. Each of these fittings(such as fittings 76) provide a separate inlet fitting for sending fluidfrom a selected tank 67 or 68 to a selected reservoir or internal tank26-31. There are letter designations A, B, C, D, E, F for each of theplurality of inlet fittings 76, 77,78,79 (as shown in FIG. 9). Thesedesignate a particular reservoir or internal tank 26-31. For example, inFIG. 13, the flow line 71 is shown attached to quick connect fitting 72on tank 67. Another quick connect fitting 72 is provided on the selectedinlet fitting 76. In FIG. 13 for example, the pipe inlet fitting 76 isdesignated by the letter “E” which is associated with the internal tankor reservoir 30. A control valve 86 can thus be opened in FIG. 13 todischarge the contents of tank 67 via flow line 71 to the pipe inletfitting 76 having the letter designation E for emptying the contents oftank 67 into the reservoir 30. Because each tank 67 or 68 is able toconnect to any one of four different inlet fittings 76, 77,78, or 79,any tank 67 or 68 can direct flow to any selected internal reservoir 26,27, 28, 29, or 31.

In FIG. 9, there can be seen risers 80-85. Each riser 80-85 is in fluidcommunication with a selected reservoir 26-31. The riser 80 communicateswith the reservoir 26. The riser 81 communicates with the reservoir 27.The riser 82 communicates with the reservoir 28. The riser 83communicates with the reservoir 29. The riser 84 communicates with thereservoir 30. The riser 85 communicates with the reservoir 31.

In order to discharge the contents of any selected one of the internaltanks or reservoirs 26-31, flow outlets or drains 87-92 are provided,one for each internal tank or reservoir 26-31 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 6.Each of these flow outlets or drains 87-92 is part of a flow line 93-98.For example, in FIGS. 3 and 6, the flow outlet or drain 87 is part ofthe flow line 93.

Each of the flow lines 93-98 communicates with an outlet flange orfitting 99-104. For example, in FIGS. 6 and 8, the flow line 93 isassociated with the outlet flange 99. In this fashion, any one of thereservoirs or internal tanks 26-31 can be emptied via a flow line 93-98to a selected outlet flange or fitting 99-104.

Base 12 is shown in more detail in FIGS. 6 and 8 as includinglongitudinal beams 105, and transverse beams 106. Each of the beams 105,106 supports the reservoir floor 107. Fork lift channels 108 can be seenin FIG. 6 extending from one side to the other side of the base 12. Eachof the channels 108 provides a socket 44 as shown in FIG. 4 that isreceptive of the tines of a fork lift when it is necessary to transportthe storage reservoir 11 using a fork lift. Each of the internalreservoirs 26-31 can be vented using a vent 109 in upper panel 15. Eachinternal reservoir 26-31 can be provided with an access opening ormanway 110 in a side wall 19 or end wall 20.

The following is a list of suitable parts and materials for the variouselements of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

PARTS LIST Parts Number Description 10 fluids management apparatus 11storage reservoir 12 base 13 lower end portion 14 upper end portion 15upper panel 16 manway cover 17 tank support plate 18 opening/manway 19side wall 20 end wall 21 vertical support 22 flange 23 web 24 horizontalstiffner flange 25 lifting eye 26 internal tank/reservoir (tank A) 27internal tank/reservoir (tank B) 28 internal tank/reservoir (tank C) 29internal tank/reservoir (tank D) 30 internal tank/reservoir (tank E) 31internal tank/reservoir (tank F) 32 vertical plate/support plate 33ladder 34 longitudinal wall 35 transverse wall 36 transverse wall 37transverse wall 38 transverse wall 39 transverse wall 40 transverse wall41 opening 42 docking station/platform 43 rim flange 44 fork tubeopening/channel/socket 45 corner 46 opening 47 free end/free edge 48foot 49 leg 50 horizontal member/beam 51 corner fitting 52 inclinedplate/ramp 53 inclined plate/ramp 54 horizontal plate/pad 55intermediate fitting 56 inclined plate/ramp 57 horizontal plate/pad 58transverse beam 59 catch basin 60 basin support beam 61 open end 62closed end/end wall 63 side wall 64 bottom wall 65 rack 66 base 67tank/vessel 68 tank/vessel 69 closure 70 valved outlet 71 hose 72 quickconnect coupling 73 side wall 74 corner 75 piping system 76 pipe inletfitting 77 pipe inlet fitting 78 pipe inlet fitting 79 pipe inletfitting 80 riser (to reservoir 26) 81 riser (to reservoir 27) 82 riser(to reservoir 28) 83 riser (to reservoir 29) 84 riser (to reservoir 30)85 riser (to reservoir 31) 86 control valve 87 flow outlet/drain 88 flowoutlet/drain 89 flow outlet/drain 90 flow outlet/drain 91 flowoutlet/drain 92 flow outlet/drain 93 flow line 94 flow line 95 flow line96 flow line 97 flow line 98 flow line 99 outlet flange/fitting 100outlet flange/fitting 101 outlet flange/fitting 102 outletflange/fitting 103 outlet flange/fitting 104 outlet flange/fitting 105longitudinal beam 106 transverse beam 107 reservoir floor 108 fork liftchannel 109 vent 110 access opening/manway

All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature andpressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise.

The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; thescope of the present invention is to be limited only by the followingclaims.

1. A fluids management apparatus for managing multiple, different fluidson an oil and gas well drilling platform, comprising: a) a structural,transportable frame that has upper and lower end portions, a pluralityof side walls, a plurality of corners, a base, and an upper panel; b) areservoir section on the frame having a plurality of storage reservoirsfor holding multiple, separate fluids, one separate fluid in eachreservoir; c) a plurality of flow outlets for discharging a selectedfluid from a selected reservoir; d) a docking station on the frame abovethe reservoir section, each station configured to receive a tank havinga fluid holding interior that connects to a reservoir; e) piping thatenables a selected of the storage reservoirs to transfer its contents toa selected of the storage reservoirs; f) each wall having vertical andhorizontal stiffeners, each vertical stiffener having a web, eachhorizontal stiffener connecting to a said vertical stiffener web; g)each storage reservoir having a side that is a part of a said side wall,a plurality of transverse sides, and an internal longitudinal wall; h) areservoir stiffener panel that extends a partial distance across a saidstorage reservoir; and I) a plurality of lifting eyes attached to theframe, at least a pair of said horizontal stiffeners attaching to eachsaid lifting eye.
 2. The fluids management apparatus of claim 1 whereineach reservoir stiffener attaches to a transverse wall.
 3. The fluidsmanagement apparatus of claim 1 wherein there are between 4 and 6storage reservoirs.
 4. The fluids management apparatus of claim 1wherein at least one of the storage reservoirs is smaller than anotherof the storage reservoirs.
 5. The fluids management apparatus of claim 1wherein one of the storage reservoirs extends from one side wall toanother side wall.
 6. The fluids management apparatus of claim 1 whereinthe frame has multiple lifting eyes that attach to a side wall and saidupper panel.
 7. The fluids management apparatus of claim 6 wherein eachlifting eye is connected to a horizontal stiffener.
 8. The fluidsmanagement apparatus of claim 7 wherein each lifting eye is in the formof a plate that forms an acute angle with a side wall.
 9. The fluidsmanagement apparatus of claim 8 wherein each lifting eye is spaced inbetween a corner and another lifting eye.
 10. The fluids managementapparatus of claim 1 wherein each tank support is mounted upon a saidvertical stiffener.
 11. The fluids management apparatus of claim 10further comprising a plate on the upper end portion of each verticalstiffener, said plate forming a load transfer location for a said tank.12. A fluids management apparatus for managing multiple, differentfluids in an oil and gas well drilling platform, comprising: a) astructural, transportable frame; b) a lower tank section on the framehaving a plurality of interval storage tanks for holding multiple,separate fluids, said interval storage tanks surrounded by external sidewalls and end walls; c) a plurality of flow outlets for discharging aselected fluid from a selected interval storage tank; d) an upper tanksection that comprises one or more transportable, crane liftable tanks;e) a docking station on the frame above the lower tank section that isconfigured to receive the upper tank section, the upper tank sectionhaving a plurality of supply tanks; f) piping that enables a selected ofthe supply tanks to transfer its contents to a selected of the intervalstorage tanks; g) a plurality of horizontal and a plurality of verticalstiffeners on said lower tank section, the horizontal and verticalstiffeners intersecting; h) the docking station including load transferplates on said vertical stiffeners that define supports for receipt ofthe docking station; i) each vertical stiffener having a web attached toa wall and a flange attached to a said web; and j) each load transferplate at the top of each vertical stiffener, said load transfer plateattached to both said web and said flange.
 13. The fluids managementapparatus of claim 12 wherein there are at least three interval storagetanks.
 14. The fluids management apparatus of claim 12 wherein there arebetween 4 and 6 interval storage tanks.
 15. The fluids managementapparatus of claim 12 wherein at least one of the supply tanks issmaller than one of the interval storage tanks.
 16. The fluidsmanagement apparatus of claim 12 wherein all of the supply tanks aresmaller than each interval storage tank.
 17. The fluids managementapparatus of claim 12 wherein all of the flow outlets are positioned onthe same side of the frame.
 18. The fluids management apparatus of claim12 wherein all of the flow outlets are positioned side-by-side and nextto each other.
 19. The fluids management apparatus of claim 12 whereineach supply tank has a supply tank outlet and the piping includes aplurality of flow lines, each connectable to a supply tank outlet. 20.The fluids management apparatus of claim 19 wherein each intervalstorage tank has a flow inlet and the piping includes multiple flowlines that enable flow to be directed to a selected interval storagetank from a selected supply tank.
 21. A fluids management apparatus formanaging multiple, different fluids in an oil and gas well drillingplatform, comprising: a) a structural, transportable frame having sidewalls, end walls, a bottom wall and an upper panel; b) a lower reservoirsection on the frame having a plurality of interval storage reservoirsfor holding multiple, separate fluids; c) a plurality of flow outletsfor discharging a selected fluid from a selected interval storagereservoir; d) a docking station on the frame above the lower reservoirsection, said docking station configured to receive one or more fluidholding vessels; and e) a reinforcement system for multiple of saidwalls that includes intersecting pluralities of horizontal and verticalstiffeners, each said vertical stiffener having an upper fitting thatprovides an attachment for and load transfer from a said fluid holdingvessel.
 22. The apparatus of claim 21 wherein each vertical stiffenerhas a web and a flange that is connected to the web and wherein eachfitting is attached to both a web and a flange.
 23. The apparatus ofclaim 21 further comprising an upper frame that holds multiple of saidfluid holding vessels.
 24. The apparatus of claim 23 wherein said upperframe has legs, each leg resting upon a said fitting.
 25. The apparatusof claim 23 wherein the upper frame has one or more doors that can beopened and closed.
 26. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein one of thestorage reservoirs is a larger reservoir that extends to opposing sidesof the interval longitudinal wall and further comprising an opening inthe interval longitudinal wall that is in communication with the largerreservoir.
 27. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the upper frame hasmultiple upper angled plates that each form an obtuse angle with thebottom of a fluid holding vessel.